What does it mean?

Curriculum vitae, usually abbreviated to just CV, is a fancy term for a resume widely used in most English-speaking countries. America is an exception; here the term is used more commonly in an academic or medical context, referring to a document that is similar to a resume but far more detailed.

Etymology

Curriculum vitae is a Latin term which translates literally as ‘the course of my life.’ It first came into English use in 1902.

Improper Use

As the term is so common in the majority of the English speaking world, it is rare to see it used incorrectly; however, traditionally the term ‘vitae’ was written, as in its traditional form, using a ligature, i.e. vitæ. However, as this practice is dying out in general, this is now very rarely used.

Proper Use

A CV is usually a brief document, outlining the potential employee’s contact information, work and education history and possibly information like hobbies or awards/achievements.

Bob dropped his curriculum vitae into the bowling alley, hoping he’d get the job. Her curriculum vitae impressed him so much that he hired her there and then.

What does it mean?

If something is done ad hoc, it means that it is done as and when for a specific purpose.

Etymology

Ad hoc is a Latin term which translates literally as ‘for this.’ It first came into English usage in the late 19th century.

Improper Use

It is incorrect to use ad hoc to describe something that takes place at a fixed time; i.e., if you wash your car twice a month, you are washing your car on a regular basis, not an ad hoc basis.

Proper Use

If you make an impromptu decision to wash your car every now and then because it’s dirty, this is washing it on an ad hoc basis; you are undertaking this task at an unplanned time for a specific purpose. Examples of use in a sentence include:

Bob went shopping ad hoc; he couldn’t bear the thought of going every Saturday. He visited his parents on an ad hoc basis.

What does it mean?

Pro bono is the shortened version of pro bono publico. It is used in different contexts in different countries and professions, but usually refers to work undertaken by professionals who are acting in the interests of the public and do not expect a profit for their time. Lawyers most commonly undertaken this kind of work.

Etymology

Pro bono translates literally as ‘for good.’ It first came into English usage in 1726.

Proper and Improper Use

The term pro bono is most commonly used in a legal context, although it is also used in business and medicine. In the UK, lawyers are required to work a certain amount of pro bono hours a year. However, not all voluntary work is pro bono. The term is only applied if the work is being undertaken by a professional. For example, helping out at an animal shelter, although noble, is not an example of pro bono, whereas a lawyer or a doctor providing legal services to a low-income family is.

What does it mean?

Ad hominem is a term that is used to describe a personal attack made against a person. It is most widely used in law, usually in the context of an argument, where somebody attacks or challenges their opponent’s character rather than their case.

Etymology

Ad hominem translates literally as ‘to the man.’ It is the shortened and more widely used version of the phrase argumentum ad hominem. The feminine form is ad feminam. It is believed to have come into English use around 1600.

Improper Use

It could be argued that the shortened phrase itself, meaning only ‘to the man,’ is incorrect as its literal translation is very vague. It is clearer when written as argumentum ad hominem, which translates as ‘appeal/argument to the man.’

Proper Use

Ad hominem should only be used as a term given to a situation when one is making an argument about the character or past deeds of their opponent which is irrelevant to the case at hand, often in an attempt to disprove their viewpoint on the basis that they are not to be trusted. Examples are as follows:

Bob: Gerbils would be great to keep as pets. Joe: How would you know? Your goldfish died because you didn’t feed it. Everyone around: How awful. Bob should never be allowed to keep a gerbil!

What does it mean?

To be compos mentis is to be of sound mind. It’s basically a fancy way of saying ‘I’m/he’s/she’s sane/sober/calm.’

Etymology

Compos mentis is an adjective that translates literally to ‘in command of one’s mind.’ It first came into use in the English language in the early 17th century, around 1610.

Improper Use

Not to be confused with the opposite non compos mentis, meaning ‘not of sound mind.’ Both terms are generally used in the legal or medical profession, in the former when one tries to explain their behaviour with outlandish excuses they genuinely believe, and the latter when a patient is being assessed on whether or not they can make their own decisions about the healthcare and treatment they receive.

Proper Use

Outside of a legal and medical context, compos mentis can also be used metaphorically (which is how it is used in the examples below) however like many Latin terms is rare in informal use. Examples of use in a sentence include:

After studying for the big test, Bob felt that he was no longer compos mentis.She was so drunk at the party she could no longer be considered compos mentis.

What does it mean?

Ergo can mean consequently, therefore, accordingly, or hence. It also has a combining form ergo-, usually related to work, i.e. ergonomics, however this originates from the Greek language. The two are commonly mixed up, but entirely separate.

Etymology

Ergo is believed to have come from the Latin term ex rogo, which means ‘from the direction of.’ It came into English usage in the early 15th century.

Improper Use

The use of ergo alone is not to be confused with cogito, ergo sum, which is commonly used to refer to French philosopher Rene Descartes’ widely debated proposition, ‘I think, therefore I am.’

Proper Use

Ergo literally translates to ‘therefore.’ Examples of use in a sentence include:

Bob was very late, ergo in a lot of trouble. She was tired, ergo she left the party early.

Please note that ergo is relatively uncommon in informal use, and most commonly written or spoken in a legal or scientific context. The above sentences were written for the purpose of example only.

What does it mean?

Ante bellum means the period before a war. The accepted usage of the term, usually written as antebellum, refers to the American South before the civil war.

Etymology

The term literally translates to English as ‘before the war.’ It came into English language usage in the late 19th century.

Improper Use

One might argue that using ante bellum to define any period other than the one it traditionally refers to is improper. The country music group Lady Antebellum have received criticism about their choice of name, with people calling it inappropriate and even racist.

Proper Use

Examples of use in a sentence include:

Many Antebellum Mansions in Nashville are now open to the public for use for events such as weddings.Gone with the Wind was written about life in the antebellum south.

What does it mean?

In situ is a fairly daunting and complicated Latin term that is not commonly seen in colloquial use. It is usually taken to mean ‘in its original place.’ It is used in many different fields, such as archaeology, economics and literature.

Etymology

The literal translation of in situ from Latin to English is ‘in place’ (although some will argue it means ‘in position.’) It can be used as both an adjective and an adverb. Its first recorded use was said to be around 1740.

Improper Use

Despite accepted use in numerous professions, the term in situ has not yet found its way into informal use. This is not to say it would be incorrect, nor is it strictly unacceptable, should it be used in the right sentence or context; just that it isn’t ever really seen.

Proper Use

In situ is used in different situations and contexts for a variety of different professions, but always translates to the same meaning of ‘in place/position.’ Examples of use in a sentence include:

‘The fossil was found in situ.’

(Archaeology: The term used here means that what was uncovered was found in the original position that it was made or deposited.)

‘Bob undertook his testing in situ.’

(Psychology: Meaning that the subject of an experiment was located outside of a laboratory or usual work setting at the time, i.e. at the workplace.)

What does it mean?

To declare somebody persona non grata is to state that they are ostracised or unwelcome. It usually means somebody, usually a diplomat, is forbidden by the government from entering or staying in a certain country. It can also be used in a non-diplomatic context to refer to somebody who has been shunned by a group of people for whatever reason they see fit.

Etymology

‘Persona non grata’ is a Latin term, literally translating to ‘person not acceptable,’ is a Latin term which is neither part of the classical nor New Latin language. It has, however, been in use since as early as the 15th century.

Improper Use

When pluralised, persona non grata is sometimes erroneously written as personas non grata. This is incorrect; the plural version of the term should be written as personae non grata, as within Latin.

Proper Use

Persona non grata is used in mostly a formal, legal context, but informal use is not unheard of. Examples of use in a sentence include:

“The spies were deported as persona non grata.” “Bob found himself persona non grata at the party after the incident the previous weekend.”

What does it mean?

Mea culpa is the admission or acknowledgement of making a personal mistake. Traditionally, it is used in the prayer The Confiteor in the Catholic Church. It is slowly making its way into contemporary everyday use.

Etymology

Mea culpa is a Latin termtranslating literally into English as “through my own fault.” Perhaps because of its use in prayer, the term has been used in English for centuries. The first recorded use was in the late 14th century by Chaucer in Troylus, though it has likely been in use before this.

Improper Use

Some might argue that any use outside of prayer is improper, but as can be seen above, the phrase has been making its way into speech and the written word for hundreds of years. It is perhaps one of the less commonly seen Latin phrases in common or popular use, but, technically speaking, wouldn’t be incorrect or out of place in an informal context.

Proper Use

In a non-religious context, think of mea culpa as a fancy way of saying ‘my bad.’ Like most Latin phrases in English use, it is italicised. It can be used both as a noun and an interjection, although the former is more common. As a noun, it usually refers to a detailed and sincere apology. Examples of use in a sentence include:

“I forgot – mea culpa,” said Bob.
She wrote a long mea culpa on her blog to apologise to everyone she’d hurt.

The phrase can also be extended to mea maxima culpa, literally meaning ‘my most grievous fault.’